The Inside Story Podcast

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How will an EU loan to Ukraine play out on the battlefield? Apr 23, 2026

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Ukraine reopens a pipeline, enabling the delivery of Russian crude to some EU countries. In return, it gets a multibillion-dollar loan, while Moscow rakes in oil revenue. How will this complex deal play out on the battlefield?

In this episode:

Marina Miron, Researcher in Defence Studies at King’s College London
Maximilian Hess, Author of 'Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict between Russia and the West'
Pieter Cleppe, Editor-in-Chief, BrusselsReport.eu

Host: James Bays

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Can a divided EU become a voice against Israel's aggression? Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Within the EU, a split is growing over how to respond to Israel's actions in the Middle East. Some members want to suspend a trade deal. But its staunchest allies have foiled the move. Can a divided bloc become a voice against Israel's aggression?

In this episode:

Bobby McDonagh, a former Irish ambassador to the EU, Italy and the UK
Daniel Levy, President of the U.S. / Middle East Project and a former Israeli negotiator
Dan Perry, the publisher of 'Ask Questions Later' on Substack and former Editor of the Associated Press for Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Host: Imran Khan

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Who will rebuild Gaza? Apr 21, 2026

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A report by the UN and European Union estimates it will take 71 billion dollars to rebuild Gaza. About a third of that is needed to restore essential services destroyed by Israel's war. So, how will Gaza be rebuilt, and who will pay?

In this episode:

Xavier Abu Eid, political analyst and former Communications Director for the Palestine Liberation Organization
Sultan Barakat, Professor of Public Policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and a specialist in post-conflict reconstruction
Raja Khalidi, Director General of the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute
Ahmed Muin Abu Amsha, music teacher living in Gaza

Host: Adrian Finighan

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How is the Iran war affecting Russia and Ukraine? Apr 20, 2026

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Ukraine attacks oil facilities in Russia, which is benefiting from higher fuel prices and sanctions relief due to the Iran war. It comes after Moscow launches intense aerial attacks on its neighbour. How is the Iran war affecting Russia and Ukraine?

In this episode:

Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on Russia and Eurasia
Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe at The New York Times
Michael Bociurkiw, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council

Host: Adrian Finighan

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Will the left-wing or right-wing leaders shape the global agenda? Apr 19, 2026

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Defending democracy ... The slogan of left-leaning world leaders in Spain meeting to counter the growing influence of the far right. Meanwhile in Italy, right-wing figures aim to build momentum. So, who will shape the global agenda?

In this episode:

Ruth Ferrero-Turrion, Professor, Political Science, Complutense University of Madrid.
Georgios Samaras, Assistant Professor, Public Policy, King's College London.
Rebecca Christie, Senior Fellow, Bruegel.

Host: Tom McRae

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Will the UK prime minister Keir Starmer resign? Apr 18, 2026

Show notes

He's accused of links to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also failed government security checks. Yet Peter Mandelson was appointed UK ambassador to the US. Now, the prime minister is under pressure to resign. But will he? And how will the fallout impact the UK Labour Party?

In this episode:

Denis MacShane - Former UK Foreign Office Minister of State and Labour MP
Jennifer Nadel - Co-founder of the cross-party think-tank Compassion in Politics
Giles Kenningham - Founder of Trafalgar Strategy and former communications director for the UK Conservative Party

Host: Tom McRae

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Will the ceasefire in Lebanon hold? Apr 17, 2026

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Lebanon and Israel are holding their first direct talks in decades. But as Israel considers Hezbollah a threat, is a lasting peace agreement possible? And how much influence does Iran have in Lebanon?

In this episode:

Joe Macaron, Middle East geopolitical analyst
Yossi Mekelberg, Senior Consulting Fellow at the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House
Rami Khouri, Distinguished Fellow at the American University of Beirut

Host: James Bays

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What role is China playing in the Iran war? Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

China tells its ally Iran that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened. International leaders have been visiting Beijing almost daily, underlining its importance in the crisis. So what's the impact of the war on China, and what role is it playing?

Host: James Bays

In this episode:

Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington DC
Shaun Rein, Founder and Managing Director of the China Market Research Group in Shanghai
Nader Habibi, Professor of Practice in the Economics of the Middle East at Brandeis University in Boston

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How serious are the mounting difficulties between the EU and Israel? Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

Israel's alliance with the European Union is under mounting political pressure. Behind the shift are demands to suspend the main agreement underpinning their close relations. But their ties survived Israel's war on Gaza, so why have there been difficulties between them?

Host: James Bays

In this episode:

Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament
Sven Kuhn Von Burgsdorff, former EU ambassador to the occupied Palestinian territories
Eve Geddie, Director of the European Institutions Office at Amnesty International

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What's the fallout from the dispute between Trump and Pope Leo? Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Donald Trump in a war of words with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The U.S. president refuses to apologise for criticising Pope Leo's opposition to the Iran conflict. He says the pontiff should stay out of American affairs. So, is this political interference or a moral duty to speak out? And what are the consequences?

Host: Folly Bah Thibault

In this episode:

Cornel West, Professor and Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at the Union Theological Seminary
Adolfo Franco, US Republican strategist
Christopher White, Vatican journalist and author of a book on Pope Leo

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